New York to play a big role on Super Tuesday

Thursday

Jan 31, 2008 at 12:01 AMJan 31, 2008 at 2:56 PM

For the last month, presidential candidates have trotted around the country extolling their virtues and why they’re the right person to lead the nation. Full fields on both the Democratic and Republican sides have been narrowed through a few primaries and caucuses, but Tuesday is the big one — Super Tuesday.

Rob Montana

For the last month, presidential candidates have trotted around the country extolling their virtues and why they’re the right person to lead the nation.

Full fields on both the Democratic and Republican sides have been narrowed through a few primaries and caucuses, but Tuesday is the big one — Super Tuesday. Twenty-four states — including New York — will conduct primaries or caucuses Tuesday, with 52 percent of Democratic delegates and 41 percent of Republican delegates up for grabs.

Polls will be open at normal polling places from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The Democratic field has been whittled down to two — Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama — the latter with the momentum heading into Super Tuesday, the former with the support of Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan.

“You talk about change, she’s been a change agent her whole life. She’s always been pressing a progressive and positive agenda,” Hogan added. “She’s a polarizing personality, but we have to get by that stuff. She’s got qualities of a great leader, and I fully expect her to be our party’s nominee.”

As for Republicans, John McCain and Mitt Romney are out in front, with Mike Huckabee a distant third. Those three will head into Tuesday hoping to clear things up.

“I don’t know much about Romney,” said Bill Hatch, Steuben County Republican Committee chairman. “Obviously, McCain has been around a long time, he’s well thought of.”

Hatch’s support was initially for Rudy Giuliani, but the former New York City mayor was far behind the others when he dropped out the race Wednesday.

“I was supporting Giuliani because he was the hometown guys, the New York guy,” he said.

Hatch is now supporting McCain, following Giuliani’s lead. He does, however, have reasons for his decision.

“I think he’s a straight shooter for one,” Hatch said. “He’s not perfect — I don’t think any of them are up there — things like the Bush tax cuts he voted against.

“I’m one for cutting taxes and cutting spending,” he added. “That’s where anyone needs to be to get my support.”

Hogan’s name also will be staring voters in the face when they enter the voting booth — he’s in the running to be a delegate for Clinton at the Democratic National Convention, scheduled to take place in Denver, Colo., from Aug. 25-28.

“I urge people to get out and support the candidate of their choice,” Hogan said, “though I hope they support me as a delegate for Hillary Clinton.”

Hogan is one of six people running to be a delegate for Clinton, of which two will be chosen — one male and one female — as well as an alternate. The others seeking to be a Clinton delegate are Julie Hutchinson, Bushra B. Sheikh, Thaddeus Mack, Beverly Burrell-Moore and Mushtaq Sheikh.

There also are six in the running to be delegates for Obama — Lynda Garner Goldstein, Karl Q. Schwarz, Alice Chrispell Anderson, W. Ross Scott, Monica L. Leubner and J.D. Jackson Jr.